Hi everyone. I'm a nearly new Mini owner of a yellow 2004 Cooper. I'm handy with wrenches and also own a Miata. My question is that the 04 has about 130k on it and I see some pics leak which I suspect is from the crank angle sensor. Also, in the pic attached is there a missing engine cover as the bolts are not attached to anything. Overall is there anything I should be aware of?
I'm not a mechanic...don't even play one on the internet. But I am here to say WELCOME to a great site with greater people. I am sure some of the gurus will be along to answer your questions.
Welcome to M/A! I'm not into Miatas, but a friend here in M/A is, and you should contact him, IMHO. He goes by the nickname of "Crashton" and should put you back on the correct Miata path in a jiffy.
Thanks - the Miata is fine and I am already a Miata forum member. This post is on the Mini and wanted you experts to chime in on the oil leak and the odd bolts I see. Sorry if this is in the wrong section as I posted from my phone.
Welcome to M/A. I'm the guy who gave you the link on Miata.net that brought you here. That missing undercover isn't a big deal it only covers the the very front behind the bumper. That bolt picture you posted is more worrying. It's been over 3 years since I've been under an R53 so I don't remember what those are for. I'm sure someone will chime in here soon with an answer. You probably should buy a Bentley manual for your car. It sure will come in handy.
Those bolts hold the arm that goes from your sub fram to your bumper. There should be two bolts in them and they need to be tight. When it’s all tight it gives the front integrity in an accident and stiffens the sub fram. The bumper completes the box. This needs to be take care of. I don’t think you will find the bolts anywhere. If I remember correctly they are self centering. Try Allmag, great guy and a sponsor. https://www.allmagautoparts.com/ Or a local junk yard may have them if they have an R53
Also look here. Number 4 is the part you took the picture of. The front part molts to the bumper. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=RE33-USA-09-2004-R53-Mini-Cooper_S&diagId=31_0579
Thats excellent. This helps and makes sense as as they had the gearbox replaced, so the person that did that must not have torqued them down correctly. Or left 2 of them off. Simple enough.
and that oil leak does look like the crank sensor o-ring is leaking. Not hard to resolve once you have the new o-ring. Typically, others use RTV sealant around it too. It'll be obvious once you get in there. It could be oil pan leaking too.
here you go while fixing the CPS sensor o-ring, do the dip stick tube o-ring as well. Usually both leak at 30k miles or even earlier.